Category: Robotics

The 4xiDraw is a simple, modern, precise, and versatile pen plotter, capable of writing or drawing on almost any flat surface. It can write with your favorite fountain pens, permanent markers, and other writing implements to handle an endless variety of applications. Its unique design features a writing head that extends beyond the machine, making it possible to draw on objects bigger than the machine itself. The 4xiDraw V1 / XLX is a special extended edition of the 4xiDraw V1. While identical in all other aspects, it has twice the travel distance in the X direction, for a total travel area of 23.42 × 8.58 inches, or 595 × 218 mm — enough to fit two full end-to-end pages of US Letter or A4 size paper. Note that this is a “long and skinny” plot area: If you are looking for two pages side by side, or using 11 × 17 inch Tabloid/Ledger or A3 size paper, please consider the 4xiDraw V1 / A3instead.

Applications:

4xiDraw is an extremely versatile machine, designed to serve a wide variety of everyday and specialized drawing and writing needs. You can use it for almost any task that might normally be carried out with a handheld pen. It allows you to use your computer to produce writing that appears to be handmade, complete with the unmistakable appearance of using a real pen (as opposed to an inkjet or laser printer) to address an envelope or sign one’s name. And it does so with precision approaching that of a skilled artist, and — just as importantly — using an arm that never gets tired.

Personalize and sign certificates

Formal invitations

Work with small and irregularly shaped paper

Party invitation with fine-point markers

Printing text with a fountain pen

Stipple drawing with pen

Precision drawing with rollerball pens

4xiDraw is used by a genuinely diverse range of people, including (to name a few):

Digital artists, using 4xiDraw to plot their artwork

Celebrities, politicians, and elected officials, using 4xiDraw as a signature machine

University officials and other educators, to sign diplomas and certificates

Educators, introducing students to digital design and fabrication

Real estate and insurance agents, who would very much like you to open their “handwritten” envelopes

Online retailers, including a personalized thank you note with your order

Hotels that would like to leave a personalized welcome note for guests

Smartphone and tablet hardware makers, using a stylus to test their hardware

Mobile device software authors, using a stylus to test their software

People without use of their hands, who would like to send “handwritten” letters

Woodworkers, laying out joinery markings directly onto wood

Research scientists, as a low-cost XY motion platform

Galleries, for numbering of limited-edition artwork

Calligraphers, who could use a little wrist relief for certain types of busywork

Handling pens and paper:

Printable area: US Letter + A4 (X2)

Pen holder: Vertical configuration

Pen holder: 45-degree configuration

Pick the right angle for each writing implement

The XY travel (printable area) of the 4xiDraw V1 / XLX is just over twice US letter (8 1/2 × 11″) and A4 (297 × 210 mm) paper sizes: You can think of it as 22 × 8.5″ or 595 × 210 mm size. It can work with any paper up to and including that size, including envelopes, note cards, and business cards — or a whole array of them. The 4xiDraw comes with a mounting easel (board with clips) that can be used for holding paper, cards, and envelopes of various sizes. However, its unique design features a drawing head that extends beyond the body of the machine, making it possible to also draw on flat objects bigger than the machine itself. For example, you can set it right on top of a box to write an address or add decorations. You can even set it on top of a poster board, chalkboard, or whiteboard to draw graphics in place. The pen holder fits a wide variety of pens, including Sharpie fine and ultra-fine point markers, most rollerball and fountain pens, small-bodied whiteboard markers, and so forth. It can even hold a fountain pen at a proper angle of 45° to the paper. You can also use implements that aren’t pens, such as pencils, chalk, charcoal, brushes, and many others. However, you’ll get the best results with instruments such as fountain pens and rollerball pens, which do not require the user to apply pressure.

Getting Started

The 4xiDraw comes fully assembled, tested, and ready to use, right out of the box. A universal-input plug-in power supply is included with the 4xiDraw, as is a USB cable, and an optional paper-holding easel. Assuming that you’ve installed the software first, you can be up and plotting within minutes of opening the box. To operate 4xiDraw, you will need a reasonably modern computer with an available USB port (Mac, Windows or Linux), plus internet access to download necessary software. Pens and paper are not included. (You can use your own! 4xiDraw does not require proprietary pens or paper.) 4xiDraw is normally controlled through a set of extensions to Inkscape, the excellent, popular and free vector graphics program. Basic operation is much like that of a printer driver: you import or make a drawing in Inkscape, and use the extensions to plot your text or artwork. It’s all handled through a straightforward graphical user interface, and works cleanly on Mac, Windows and Linux.

More about 4xiDraw

4xiDraw V1 is the first-generation version of the 4xiDraw, redesigned from the ground up for high performance. It features smooth rolling wheels on custom aluminum extrusions, specially designed for high stiffness and light weight. Its sturdy, rigid construction gives it finer quality output and in most applications allows it to operate with significantly higher precision and speed than competing and previous generation machines. Inspired by and source code from AxiDraw AxiDraw is a project by Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.

4xiDraw V1 is a clone of the famous Axidraw. It’s a plotter to draw. Used an “Arduino Nano” control card and a “CNC Shield” card. Using the “Inkscape” vector graphics program along with a special “plug in”, you can create several G-Code files, starting with a drawing. Universal G-code Sender (Java) will do the rest. __________________________________________________________

4xiDraw machines are designed and manufactured by Zalophus’s DesignHouse, with both foreign and domestic components. 4xiDraw comes with lifetime support. We stand by our machines, and we’re here to help whenever you need it.

The 4xiDraw is a simple, modern, precise, and versatile pen plotter, capable of writing or drawing on almost any flat surface. It can write with your favorite fountain pens, permanent markers, and other writing implements to handle an endless variety of applications. Its unique design features a writing head that extends beyond the machine, making it possible to draw on objects bigger than the machine itself. The 4xiDraw V1 / A3 is a special extended edition of the 4xiDraw V1. While identical in most other aspects, it is designed for use with 11×17 inch (tabloid or ledger) and A3 size papers. It can also be used with paper of any smaller size, including cards and envelopes and US Letter or A4 paper. You can even use two pages of Letter or A4 paper, side by side.

Applications:

4xiDraw is an extremely versatile machine, designed to serve a wide variety of everyday and specialized drawing and writing needs. You can use it for almost any task that might normally be carried out with a handheld pen. It allows you to use your computer to produce writing that appears to be handmade, complete with the unmistakable appearance of using a real pen (as opposed to an inkjet or laser printer) to address an envelope or sign one’s name. And it does so with precision approaching that of a skilled artist, and — just as importantly — using an arm that never gets tired.

Personalize and sign certificates

Formal invitations

Work with small and irregularly shaped paper

Party invitation with fine-point markers

Printing text with a fountain pen

Stipple drawing with pen

Precision drawing with rollerball pens

Larger format for larger plots

4xiDraw is used by a genuinely diverse range of people, including (to name a few):

Celebrities, politicians, and elected officials, using 4xiDraw as a signature machine

University officials and other educators, to sign diplomas and certificates

Digital artists, using 4xiDraw to plot their artwork

Educators, introducing students to digital design and fabrication

Real estate and insurance agents, who would very much like you to open their “handwritten” envelopes

Online retailers, including a personalized thank you note with your order

Hotels that would like to leave a personalized welcome note for guests

Smartphone and tablet hardware makers, using a stylus to test their hardware

Mobile device software authors, using a stylus to test their software

People without use of their hands, who would like to send “handwritten” letters

Woodworkers, laying out joinery markings directly onto wood

Research scientists, as a low-cost XY motion platform

Galleries, for numbering of limited-edition artwork

Calligraphers, who could use a little wrist relief for certain types of busywork

Handling pens and paper:

Large enough to fit two Letter/A4 size pages.

Pen holder: Vertical configuration

Pen holder: 45-degree configuration

Pick the right angle for each writing implement

As compared to the (US Letter / A4 sized) 4xiDraw V1, the 4xiDraw V1 / A3 has extended travel range, designed for use with paper sizes up to and including 11×17 inch (“tabloid” or “ledger”) and A3. It can work with any paper up to and including that size, including envelopes, regular US letter (8 1/2 × 11 inch) or A4 (297 × 210 mm) sized paper, note cards, business cards, or a whole array of smaller items. The 4xiDraw comes with a mounting easel (board with clips) that can be used for holding paper, cards, and envelopes of various sizes. The unique design of the 4xiDraw features a drawing head that extends beyond the body of the machine, making it possible to also draw on flat objects bigger than the machine itself. For example, you can set it right on top of a box to write an address or add decorations. You can even set it on top of a poster board, chalkboard, or whiteboard to draw graphics in place. The pen holder fits a wide variety of pens, including Sharpie fine and ultra-fine point markers, most rollerball and fountain pens, small-bodied whiteboard markers, and so forth. It can even hold a fountain pen at a proper angle of 45° to the paper. You can also use implements that aren’t pens, such as pencils, chalk, charcoal, brushes, and many others. However, you’ll get the best results with instruments such as fountain pens and rollerball pens, which do not require the user to apply pressure.

Getting Started

The 4xiDraw comes fully assembled, tested, and ready to use, right out of the box. A universal-input plug-in power supply is included with the 4xiDraw, as is a USB cable, and an optional paper-holding easel. Assuming that you’ve installed the software first, you can be up and plotting within minutes of opening the box. To operate 4xiDraw, you will need a reasonably modern computer with an available USB port (Mac, Windows or Linux), plus internet access to download necessary software. Pens and paper are not included. (You can use your own! 4xiDraw does not require proprietary pens or paper.) 4xiDraw is normally controlled through a set of extensions to Inkscape, the excellent, popular and free vector graphics program. Basic operation is much like that of a printer driver: you import or make a drawing in Inkscape, and use the extensions to plot your text or artwork. It’s all handled through a straightforward graphical user interface, and works cleanly on Mac, Windows and Linux.

More about 4xiDraw

4xiDraw V1/A3 is based on the first-generation version of the 4xiDraw, redesigned from the ground up for high performance. It features smooth rolling wheels on custom aluminum extrusions, specially designed for high stiffness and light weight. Its sturdy, rigid construction gives it finer quality output and in most applications allows it to operate with significantly higher precision and speed than competing and previous generation machines. Inspired by and source code from AxiDraw AxiDraw is a project by Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.

4xiDraw V1 is a clone of the famous Axidraw. It’s a plotter to draw. Used an “Arduino Nano” control card and a “CNC Shield” card. Using the “Inkscape” vector graphics program along with a special “plug in”, you can create several G-Code files, starting with a drawing. Universal G-code Sender (Java) will do the rest. __________________________________________________________

4xiDraw machines are designed and manufactured by Zalophus’s DesignHouse, with both foreign and domestic components. 4xiDraw comes with lifetime support. We stand by our machines, and we’re here to help whenever you need it.

The 4xiDraw is a simple, modern, precise, and versatile pen plotter, capable of writing or drawing on almost any flat surface. It can write with your favorite fountain pens, permanent markers, and other writing implements to handle an endless variety of applications. Its unique design features a writing head that extends beyond the machine, making it possible to draw on objects bigger than the machine itself.

Applications:

The 4xiDraw is an extremely versatile machine, designed to serve a wide variety of everyday and specialized drawing and writing needs. You can use it for almost any task that might normally be carried out with a handheld pen. It allows you to use your computer to produce writing that appears to be handmade, complete with the unmistakable appearance of using a real pen (as opposed to an inkjet or laser printer) to address an envelope or sign one’s name. And it does so with precision approaching that of a skilled artist, and — just as importantly — using an arm that never gets tired.

Personalize and sign certificates

Formal invitations

Work with small and irregularly shaped paper

Party invitation with fine-point markers

Printing text with a fountain pen

Stipple drawing with pen

Precision drawing with rollerball pens

Large writing with permanent marker

4xiDraw is used by a genuinely diverse range of people, including (to name a few):

Digital artists, using 4xiDraw to plot their artwork

Celebrities, politicians, and elected officials, using 4xiDraw as a signature machine

University officials and other educators, to sign diplomas and certificates

Educators, introducing students to digital design and fabrication

Real estate and insurance agents, who would very much like you to open their “handwritten” envelopes

Online retailers, including a personalized thank you note with your order

Hotels that would like to leave a personalized welcome note for guests

Smartphone and tablet hardware makers, using a stylus to test their hardware

Mobile device software authors, using a stylus to test their software

People without use of their hands, who would like to send “handwritten” letters

Woodworkers, laying out joinery markings directly onto wood

Research scientists, as a low-cost XY motion platform

Galleries, for numbering of limited-edition artwork

Calligraphers, who could use a little wrist relief for certain types of busywork

Handling pens and paper:

Printable area: US Letter + A4

Pen holder: Vertical configuration

Pen holder: 45-degree configuration

Pick the right angle for each writing implement

The XY travel (printable area) of the 4xiDraw is just over US letter (8 1/2 × 11″) and A4 (297 × 210 mm) paper sizes. It can work with any paper up to and including that size, including envelopes and note cards. The 4xiDraw comes with a mounting easel (board with clips) that can be used for holding paper, cards, and envelopes of various sizes. However, its unique design features a drawing head that extends beyond the body of the machine, making it possible to also draw on flat objects bigger than the machine itself. For example, you can set it right on top of a box to write an address or add decorations. You can even set it on top of a poster board, chalkboard, or whiteboard to draw graphics in place. The pen holder fits a wide variety of pens, including Sharpie fine and ultra-fine point markers, most rollerball and fountain pens, small-bodied whiteboard markers, and so forth. It can even hold a fountain pen at a proper angle of 45° to the paper. You can also use implements that aren’t pens, such as pencils, chalk, charcoal, brushes, and many others. However, you’ll get the best results with instruments such as fountain pens and rollerball pens, which do not require the user to apply pressure.

Getting Started

The 4xiDraw comes fully assembled, tested, and ready to use, right out of the box. A universal-input plug-in power supply is included with the 4xiDraw, as is a USB cable, and an optional paper-holding easel. Assuming that you’ve installed the software first, you can be up and plotting within minutes of opening the box. To operate 4xiDraw, you will need a reasonably modern computer with an available USB port (Mac, Windows or Linux), plus internet access to download necessary software. Pens and paper are not included. (You can use your own! 4xiDraw does not require proprietary pens or paper.) 4xiDraw is normally controlled through a set of extensions to Inkscape, the excellent, popular and free vector graphics program. Basic operation is much like that of a printer driver: you import or make a drawing in Inkscape, and use the extensions to plot your text or artwork. It’s all handled through a straightforward graphical user interface, and works cleanly on Mac, Windows and Linux. Additional software interfaces available to 4xiDraw owners include 4xiDraw Merge (beta), for auto-populating documents with data sourced from a CSV spreadsheet file.

More about 4xiDraw

4xiDraw V1 is the first-generation version of the 4xiDraw, redesigned from the ground up for high performance. It features smooth rolling wheels on custom aluminum extrusions, specially designed for high stiffness and light weight. Its sturdy, rigid construction gives it finer quality output and in most applications allows it to operate with significantly higher precision and speed than competing and previous generation machines. Inspired by and source code from AxiDraw AxiDraw is a project by Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.

4xiDraw V1 is a clone of the famous Axidraw. It’s a plotter to draw. Used an “Arduino Nano” control card and a “CNC Shield” card. Using the “Inkscape” vector graphics program along with a special “plug in”, you can create several G-Code files, starting with a drawing. Universal G-code Sender (Java) will do the rest. __________________________________________________________

4xiDraw machines are designed and manufactured by Zalophus’s DesignHouse, with both foreign and domestic components. 4xiDraw comes with lifetime technical support. We stand by our machines, and we’re here to help whenever you need it.

H-Bots

There is a family of 2 axis mechanisms called H-Bots. They use 2 motors on a single belt to generate motion in 2 axes. The most basic type is the classic H-Bot. ‘H’ comes from the outline of the belts.

Image from Galil Motion Control

The motors turn the same direction for motion in one axis. They turn opposite directions for motion on the other axis. If only one motor turns both axis will move evenly (like 45°, etc). All other angles are possible with the right drive ratios.

CoreXY

The H-Bot is simple, but imparts some twisting forces on the mechanism under some loads that work against accuracy. For example, look at left diagram in the image above. The belt is pulling down on the left side of the ‘H’ and up on the right side. This tries to twist the gantry if there is a resistance to the carriage movement in X. CoreXY addresses this by crossing the belts at one end. A longer belt does increase belt stretch issues though.

Image from CoreXY.com

T-Bots

The midTbot

I was trying to make the smallest and simplest drawing machine with a reasonable work area. T-Bots are pretty simple, but the motors on the ends seemed to waste space. I also wanted integrated electronics. Moving the motors to the middle carriage seemed to solve a lot of these problems. It does add the motors to the mass of the moving parts, but only on one axis and they are directly over the linear bearings. It really has an elegant and smooth look to it. The midTbot name comes from middle mounted motors on a T bot. Here is an image of just the XY mechanism running.

Electronics

The ideal place for the electronics is right by the motors. This will reduce the wiring as much as possible. Putting the homing switches on the middle carriage would further clean up the wiring.

I designed a modular controller that mounts to the top of the middle carriage and under the motors.

The controller will soon be available on Tindie.

Scalability

It is very scalable because you only need to change the rod and belt lengths. No wiring needs to change. The middle mounted motors makes the platform very stable, but if allow the pen carriage to go too far forward, it could tip forward. I think you would need to extend the feet a little forward to counteract that.

A cheap and easy to make CNC based DIY drawing robot

Introduction

Hi. Thank you for showing Interest in this project. This Project was my engineering’s final year capstone project. It took me a month to make this Project and I had fun building it. Below I am writing a step by step DIY guide to help you build your own CNC Drawing Robot. The guide is quite long with both text and video. I have given most details so that you will not feel any problem if you are new to making projects of this kind.

The Crazy Engineer’s Drawing Robot or Arduino GRBL CoreXY Servo Drawbot is a CNC based drawing robot. It is open source and open hardware based project. It uses Arduino UNO (Atmega328p) as the brain of the robot and a special GRBL firmware for G-Code Interpretation and motion control. It also uses a core [X, Y] Cartesian movement to control both X and Y axis. The Z axis is controlled by a servo motor to lift pen up and down.

Crazy Engineer’s Drawing Robot is a simple CNC Drawing Robot, capable of writing or drawing on almost any flat surface. It can write with gel pens, permanent markers, and a variety of other writing implements to handle an endless number of applications. Its writing head extends beyond the machine, making it possible to draw on objects bigger than the machine itself.

Project Motivation

When I was in my 2nd year of my engineering I did some research and came across the term CNC and I got fascinated by that. That time I came across a brand called Inventables that manufactures Desktop CNCs for Makers and low volume manufacturing. My early research was on CNC milling and drilling but making a CNC milling or drilling machine requires good investment and that is what I was lacking. Finally, I thought to make a CNC Drawing Robot that required relatively only a fraction of the cost of the CNC Milling machine.

If you Google DRAWBOT you will come across few interesting projects and product out of which :

Collectively I studied all of these and found it cool. But they were mostly using A4 paper so I made one for myself with the largest work area of all above. My Crazy Drawing Robot can handle paper as big as ARCH B.

The dreams of yesterday are the hopes of today and the reality of tomorrow. Science has not yet mastered prophecy. We predict too much for the next year and yet far too little for the next ten.

Project Comparison with AxiDraw

Crazy Engineer’s Drawbot is similar as well as different from AxiDraw:

• Crazy Engineer’s Drawbot is a Cartesian CoreXY movement (H-bot I think) similar to AxiDraw.

• Crazy Engineer’s Drawbot is based on Arduino, while AxiDraw is based on the EBB Driver board

• Crazy Engineer’s Drawbot has a large working area (45×38), like an ARCH B paper bigger than A3, while AxiDraw has a normal working area (30×20), like an A4 paper.

• Crazy Engineer’s Drawbot is Made of Wood to reduce cost, while AxiDraw is in metal (? this is not very clear watching the pictures)

• AxiDraw can write with a fountain pen, Crazy Engineer’s Drawbot not (yet)

Core[X,Y]

Core[X,Y] makes things easy and have added advantage in my build. CoreXY is a technique of motion control in 2D axis using a single continuous belt for both the axes.Design Advantage: The Design of the Drawing Robot is Compact as the Y axis motor as well as X axis motor is also on the main chassis, which keeps the centre of gravity closer to the chassis. So reduces machine weight as you can now use lighter rods and mechanism on the X axis as now it doesn’t have to carry the heavy stepper motor.Fast: CoreXY believe in speed. CoreXY’s (mostly) parallel kinematics mean that the motors, typically the largest source of inertia on a DIY-grade stage, are stationary. This permits rapid accelerations.Simple: CoreXY can be implemented with only three structural plates, all of which can nest during fabrication.Flexible: Whether your medium is fabric or aluminium, the principle behind CoreXY permits motion stages to be rendered in a variety of materials and a wide range of sizes.

CoreXY Working

Building The CNC’s Body

Build Process

JK Super Drive Jig Saw Used for All Cutting

JK 13mm Drill with Al Plates

Plastic Pulleys

Linear Bearings with Shaft

Assembling the bearings

Pulleys in Central Carriage Assembly

Pulleys in Central Carriage Assembly

X and Y Axis Before Mounting on Chassis

X and Y Axis After Mounting on Chassis

X and Y Axis After Mounting on Chassis

Pen Holder Bottom View

Pen Holder Components

Arduino With CNC Shield

5.5Kgcm Stepper with Clamps

Stepper being Mounted on Chassis

Mess During the Project Making

Raster Drawing Drawing Crazy Engineer’s Drawbot

Vector Drawing Crazy Engineer’s Drawbot

After Drawing Completion

Arduino UNO With BLDC Fans and Stepper Driver

Stepper Motor With BLDC Fan

Pen Holder

Pen Holder WIth Servo Motor

Back Side of Heat Sink

Arduino Firmware Installation

This project is using a modified version of GRBL 0.9i Firmware that is . I have modified to enable CoreXY configuration and also enabled servo motor operation on pin D11. The servo motor will raise and lower the pen using Machine Code M03 and M05. (Will explain later in detail). So in Z axis no Stepper Motor is required to pull the pen.

Grbl-coreXY-servo is a no-compromise, high performance, low cost alternative to parallel-port-based motion control for CNC milling. It will run on a vanilla Arduino (Duemillanove/Uno) as long as it sports an Atmega 328p.

The controller is written in highly optimized C utilizing every clever feature of the AVR-chips to achieve precise timing and asynchronous operation. It is able to maintain up to 30kHz of stable, jitter free control pulses.

It accepts standards-compliant G-Code and has been tested with the output of several CAM tools with no problems. Arcs, circles and helical motion are fully supported, as well as, all other primary G-Code commands. Macro functions, variables, and most canned cycles are not supported, but we think GUIs can do a much better job at translating them into straight G-Code anyhow.

Grbl-coreXY-servo includes full acceleration management with look ahead. That means the controller will look up to 18 motions into the future and plan its velocities ahead to deliver smooth acceleration and jerk-free cornering.

• Licensing: Grbl is free software, released under the GPLv3 license.

After downloading you have to flash the Arduino Uno with the firmware.
Here are the Steps:

NOTE: Before starting, delete prior Grbl library installations from the Arduino IDE. Otherwise, you’ll have compiling issues! On a Mac, Arduino libraries are located in ~/Documents/Arduino/libraries/. On Windows, it’s in My Documents\Arduino\libraries.

2. Launch the Arduino IDE
• Make sure you are using the most recent version of the Arduino IDE!

3. Load Grbl into the Arduino IDE as a Library
• Click the Sketch drop-down menu, navigate to Include Library and select Add .ZIP Library.
• IMPORTANT: Select the Grbl folder inside the grbl-coreXY-servo-master folder, which only contains the source files and an example directory.
• If you accidentally select the .zip file or the wrong folder, you will need to navigate to your Arduino library, delete the mistake, and re-do Step 3.

5. Compile and upload Grbl-coreXY-servo to your Arduino
• Connect your Arduino Uno to your computer.
• Make sure your board is set to the Arduino Uno in the Tool->Board menu and the serial port is selected correctly in Tool->Serial Port.
• Click the Upload, and Grbl-coreXY-servo should compile and flash to your Arduino! (Flashing with a programmer also works by using the Upload Using Programmer menu command.)

Software Tools Installation

We need multiple software and plugins for generating art-work, editing and sending G-Code to the CNC using Serial COM Port. I will be discussing installation in Windows platform but you can find all the software for Linux platform too. So the software we will be using are:

>>> Inkscape
[ Will be used to edit vector graphics and also to generate vector graphics (.svg) from .jpg, .png and .dxf formats ]
• Download the latest stable 32bit/64bit version according to your OS from Inkscape.org
• Installation is pretty simple and straight forward in Windows. In Linux you need to type some easy commands.
• Just do a Next Next and software will be installed.

>>> JTP Laser Tool Inkscape Plugin
[This Inkscape plugin will convert paths/drawing to G-Code for Vector Printing]
• Download the plugin from JTP Website
• Extract it using any good unzipping software.
• Put the contents of this .zip folder into the “inkscape\share\extensions” folder in installation directory.
• Once it is there it will show up under the “extensions” tab in Inkscape.

>>> Raster 2 Laser G-Code Generator
[This Inkscape plugin will convert paths/drawing to G-Code for Raster Printing]
• Download the plugin from my Git Hub Repository Raster 2 Laser
• Extract it using any good unzipping software.
• Put the contents of this .zip folder into the “Inkscape\share\extensions” folder in installation directory.
• Once it is there it will show up under the “extensions” tab in Inkscape.

>>> UGS Platform / UniversalGcodeSender
[ Will send G-Codes from laptop to Arduino UNO via USB Serial Port]
• Download and install the version of Java listed on the download page according to your OS and system configuration. Requires Java 8. Download Here
• Download UGS Platform UGS Download
• Extract it using any good unzipping software.
• In the extracted folders locate bin in the ugsplatform directory.
• On Windows run ugsplatform.exe or ugsplatform64.exe, on Linux or Mac OSX run ugsplatform.
• No need of any installation or build.

>>> Camotics
[ Will be used for visualizing G-Codes and simulation purpose]
• Download the latest version from Camotics
• Simple and fluid installation.

>>> Makelangelo Software
[Will be used to generate monochrome pattern art work from jpg, png and other formats that can be printed by single colour pen by CNC Drawing Machine]
• Download the Makelangelo Software from my Git Hub Repository Makelangelo-Software
• Extract it using any good unzipping software.
• Open the extracted folder and find Makelangelo10.jar file.
• Run the .jar file using Java 8 you have installed in previous steps.

>>> Inkscape Template File
[This template will be used according to the paper feeded to the Drawing Machine and will help in G-Code generation with exact dimension]
• Download the template from my Git Hub Repository Inkscape-Template
• Extract it using any good unzipping software.
• Open the extracted folder and find Makelangelo10.jar file.

Processing from Existing JPG/PNG Image in Inkscape

• Open Inkscape.
• Open the template you have downloaded in previous step according to your paper size.
• Click on File -> Import then select the JPG or PNG file from your drive and click open.
• Resize and position the image according to your page size.
• Image must be inside the boundaries of the page or G-code will not be generated properly.
• Right Click on the image and select Trace Bitmap.
• Select any of the Three Option [ Experiment and You will know the working] Brightness Cutoff, Edge Detection, Colour Quantization.
• Change the threshold according to the details you want in the drawing.
• Click on Update.
• Click OK and close the window.
• The Vector Bitmap will be overlapping the original picture.
• Drag out the original picture and delete it. You are ready to generate G-code.
• Now See G-code Generation Step.

Processing from Custom Drawing in Inkscape

• Open Inkscape.
• Open the template you have downloaded in previous step according to your paper size.
• Start drawing or writing text inside the work area.
• Select all the objects by Ctrl+A shortcut.
• Group then together by Object -> Group from menu or by Ctrl+G shortcut.
• Then you have to convert object to path from menu Path -> Object To Path or by shortcut Shift+Ctrl+C. [ Important Step]
• Now See G-code Generation Step.

Generating Art Work from Image in Makelangelo Software

• Open Makelangelo Software running the .jar file.
• Click Open File and select the JPG/PNG file from your drive.
• Select the Conversion Style from the drop down menu. [ My fav is Crosshatch]
• Click ok.
• Click Save to file/SD Card and go to the location where you want to save.
• Put your file name and select DXF R12 File Format .DXF.
• Now run Inkscape and open the saved .DXF file with default settings.
• Resize it according to your need.
• Now See G-code Generation Step.

Raster G-code Generation

• In raster mode the machine will scan the whole drawing area from [0,0] till the end line by line. [Raster mode is slow and takes more time]. See the videos [Raster Drawing Girl’s Face Video 1] [Raster Drawing Girl’s Face Video 2]
• After converting all objects to path from previous step you are ready to generate your G-code.
• Now select all the paths that are inside the work area or use Ctrl+A.
• Click Extensions -> 305 Engineering -> Raster 2 Laser G-code Generator.
• Give Export Directory Path.
• Give File Name.
• Enable Numeric Suffix.
• Resolution means number of lines per mm, increasing will increase drawing time.
• Play with the options below like the RGB threshold.
• Set Engraving speed to 1500 or above.
• Select No Homing.
• Edit Laser ON to M03 S255.
• Edit Laser OFF to M05 S0.
• Deselect Preview, if selected no G-code will be generated.
• Click Apply. Wait and Enjoy. You are Ready to print now.

Vector G-code Generation

• In vector mode the machine will scan the only the drawing area where lines are there. [Vector mode drawing takes less time]. See the video [Vector Drawing PowerPuff Girls Video ]
• After converting all objects to path from previous step you are ready to generate your G-code.
• Now select all the paths that are inside the work area or use Ctrl+A.
• Click Extensions -> Generate laser G-code -> J Tech Photonics Laser Tool.
• Give Export Directory Path.
• Give File Name.
• Enable Numeric Suffix.
• Set All Units to mm.
• Set Laser speed to 1500 or above.
• Set Travel speed to 3000 or above.
• Select No Homing.
• Edit Laser ON to M03.
• Edit Laser OFF to M05.
• Deselect Preview
• Click Apply. Wait and Enjoy. You are ready to Print now.

GRBL Configuration and Setting Up Your Machine for the First Time

First, connect to Grbl using the serial terminal of your choice.

Set the baud rate to 115200 as 8-N-1 (8-bits, no parity, and 1-stop bit.)

Once connected you should get the Grbl-prompt, which looks like this:

Grbl 0.9i [‘$’ for help]
Type $ and press enter to have Grbl print a help message. You should not see any local echo of the $ and enter. Grbl should respond with:

The ‘$’-commands are Grbl system commands used to tweak the settings, view or change Grbl’s states and running modes, and start a homing cycle. The last four non-‘$’ commands are realtime control commands that can be sent at anytime, no matter what Grbl is doing. These either immediately change Grbl’s running behavior or immediately print a report of the important realtime data like current position (aka DRO).

$$ – View Grbl settings

To view the settings, type $$ and press enter after connecting to Grbl. Grbl should respond with a list of the current system settings, as shown in the example below. All of these settings are persistent and kept in EEPROM, so if you power down, these will be loaded back up the next time you power up your Arduino.

$x=val – Save Grbl setting

The $x=val command saves or alters a Grbl setting, which can be done manually by sending this command when connected to Grbl through a serial terminal program, but most Grbl GUIs will do this for you as a user-friendly feature.

To manually change e.g. the microseconds step pulse option to 10us you would type this, followed by an enter:

$0=10

If everything went well, Grbl will respond with an ‘ok’ and this setting is stored in EEPROM and will be retained forever or until you change them. You can check if Grbl has received and stored your setting correctly by typing $$ to view the system settings again.

Grbl’s default configuration is intentionally very generic to help ensure users can see successful motion without having to tweak settings. Generally, the first thing you’ll want to do is get your stepper motors running, usually without it connected to the CNC. Wire Grbl to your stepper drivers and stepper motors according to your manufacturer guidelines. Connect to Grbl through a serial terminal or one of many Grbl GUIs. Send some G1 or G0 commands to Grbl. You should see your stepper motor rotating. If you are having trouble with your stepper motors, try the following:

• If your steppers are mounted in your CNC already, ensure your axes move freely and don’t obviously bind. If you can’t easily tell, try removing your steppers and check if they run under no load.

• Ensure your stepper motors and axes linear mechanisms are all tight and secure. Small set screws on drivetrain components becoming loose is a very common problem. Re-tighten and try applying some non-permenant thread locker (Loctite blue) if it continually loosens.

• For more difficult issues, try the process of elimination to quickly isolate the problem. Start by disconnecting everything from the Arduino. Test if Grbl is operating ok by itself. Then, add one thing at a time and test.

• If your steppers are powered and making a grinding noise when trying to move, try lowering the ‘$’ acceleration and max rate settings. This sound is a sign that your steppers is losing steps and not able to keep up due too much torque load or going too fast.

• Grbl’s default step pulse settings cover the vast majority of stepper drivers on the market. While very uncommon, check these settings if you are still experiencing problems or have a unusual setup.

Next, you will need to make sure your machine is moving in the correct directions according to a Cartesian(XYZ) coordinate frame. Mount your stepper motors into your CNC, if you haven’t already done so. Send Grbl some motion commands, such as G91 G0 X1 or G91 G0 X-1, which will move the x-axis +1mm and -1mm, respectively. Check all axes. If an axis is not moving correctly, alter the $3 direction port mask setting to invert the direction.

If you are unfamiliar with how coordinate frames are setup on CNC machines, see this great diagram by LinuxCNC. Just keep in mind that motions are relative to the tool. So on a typical CNC gantry router, the tool will move rather than the fixed table. If the x-axis is aligned positive to the right, a positive motion command will move the tool to the right. Whereas, a moving table with a fixed tool will move the table to the left for the same command, because the tool is moving to the right relative to the table.

Finally, tune your settings to get close to your desired or max performance. Start by ensuring your $100,$101, and $102 axes step/mm settings are correct for your setup. This is dependent on your stepper increments, micro steps on your driver, and mechanical parameters. There are multiple resources online to show you how to compute this for your particular machine, if your machine manufacturer has not supplied this for you. Tweak your $11x acceleration and $12x max rate settings to improve performance. Set to no greater than 80% of absolute max to account for inertia and cutting forces. Set your $13x max travel settings if you plan on using homing or soft limits. It’s recommended to enter something approximately close to actual travel now to avoid problems in the future.

At this point, you’re pretty much ready to get going! Grbl can now move your CNC machine and run g-code jobs. If you need to add more features, such as limit switches for homing or hard limits or spindle/laser control. There are other Wiki pages to help you that. Good luck and have fun!